Toy silo filler



1, 1944. F. E. THOMAS TOY SUIILO FILLER Filed Sept. 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FmJe mo r 2 Fran (E. Th0

Iliad Feb. 1, 1944. F. E. THOMAS 2,340,826

TOY SILO FILLER i Filed Sept 29, 1942 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r Patented Feb. 1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY SILO FILLER Frank E. Thomas, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 29, 1942, Serial No. 460,097

4 Claims.

be both educational and amusing to study and to operate.

An important object of my inventionis to provide a flexible connecting means which will maintain the contents within the bucket means mounted on the conveyer system while in inverted position and until the bucket assumes a substantially erect position so as to confine the contents and maintain the same within the buckets during the travel in the inverted position.

Other objects, features and advantages resident in my invention will become apparent from reference to the accompanying drawings and the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 represents a front view of my invention with certain portions broken away in order to more clearly elucidate the mechanical structure thereof.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view looking down on the view shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the bucket means utilized as. a part of my invention and showing the mounting thereof.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the view shown in Fisure 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the view in Figure 4 more clearly elucidating the particular structure which aids in retaining the contents of the said bucket means while in inverted relationship.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the method of securing the bucket means to the conveyer or belt structure, taken on line 68 of Figure 4.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the manner in which the lighting and motive power may be connected in a circuit foroperating the invention.

Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

, Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line |0l0 of Figure 2.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line H-H of Figure 12.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line l2-l2 of Figure 2.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line Iii-l3 of Figure 12, also indicated as a transverse cross-sectional view on the line I3---|3v of Figure 2. V

Fig. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view on the line l4-l4 of Figure 11.

Referring to the various figures, l5 general designates my invention as a whole, and it is comprised of a base 20 having a hub projection I!) to which my silo generally designated l6 may be removably secured. The silo structure should be preferably made of a transparent plastic material which may be colorless or any light shade of color not interfering with its transparency. The silo body I6 is provided with a hemispherically shaped'dome i1 and is secured removably at the beaded portion l8. To this silo isconnected a shaft 29 upon which are mounted the V grooved pulleys 30, the pulleys on the shafts and 33 respectively cooperate with this idler pulley in confining the movementof the conveyer 32 ina Well defined orbit. Upon these shafts are mounted respectively the pulleys 36 and 34 which are also V grooved in order to accommodate the V belting 32 thus insuring fine traction and minimizing slippage. Upon the belting a number of buckets 3| are provided and as indicated in detail in Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6, the method of attachment and the structure of the bucket is more clearly elucidated.

The bucket means is comprised of two endpanels 31 being' more or less semi-circular in shape and being interconnected by a curved body surface thus providing a semi-cylindrically shaped opening 42. The ends 31 as indicated in Figure 5, project beyond the surface of the opening 42 and are slightly flared outwardly as indicated at 38. Within the buckets, at points shown, the rollers 39 are mounted so that when the conveyer belt moves these buckets when in an inverted position as shown in Figure 1, whence they are caused to contact the flexible wiping member 64, the buckets will retain a fairly well sealed relationship with the said wiping member 64; the rollers permitting suitable and eflicient slidable action when the buckets 3| are in contact with the wiping member 64, and the curved extensions 38 providing positive guiding and lothus preventing any of the contents which have belting 32. Any other suitable fastening or securing means may be utilized.

To connect the silo portion it to the housing which supports the shaft 2! which incidentally is geared to a spring motor housed within the motor housing generally designated 43, the side elements 25 and 28 serve to act as an intermediate connection for the hopper between the housing 43 and the silo structure II. The connect ing means is made up of the two side panels 25, provided with a reinforcement member 2! which is to act as a closure for that part of the opening 21 in the silo which is not used, and also to provide an added support for the inclined chute 23 from whence the material conveyed in the buckets is dumped thereupon wi l slidably accumulate on the platform 24 and by gravitation will be caused to accumulate at the constricted portion between the platform 24 and the pulleys 34 when the buckets 3| in passing will accumulate quantitles of the material sufllcient to fill the cavities 42 therein. and then continue in the path indicated by the arrow. As heretofore elucidated, the buckets being in contact with the flexible wiping member will retain those contents until the buckets are ready to emerge from the frame-work at opening 11 and thus travel up thru the openings in the silo and over the pulley 30 whence they will reach an inclined position and dump the contents which will come down in a showering effect. if such material as confetti is utilized.

The silo structure being transparent will also permit visibility of the various colors of the confetti and their showering fall within the silo II will produce a multicolored effect which should be very pleasing to the eye and which may be further enhanced by the lighting effect provided by the bulbs H which may also be multicolored, and as shown in Figure 7 are connected to an electrical source of supply It. Instead of spring motivated means. electric motive power-means is indicated at H which may be connected by proper switching means as at 10. the switching means 89 being for the lighting circuit or one switch may be utilized for the operation of the entire circuit of the electric motive power means as well as the lighting. The electric source of supply is connected to the device by means of a female socket 22 imbedded or suitably secured in the base 20 of the invention, and if the invention is to utilize an electric motor it will be wired according to the diagram shown in. Figure 'l.

The spring motive power means which is housed within the housing 43 is best illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and14, which comprisesa spiral spring 44 which may be secured at 82 to the shaft 12 which is provided with a square exposed shank 4! to be engaged by a suitable key for winding. The spring is anchored at its opposite end to the base 20 of my invention by virtue of rivet means 63. The spring is integrally connected to the ratchet, the ratchet being secured to the shaft 12.

The ratchet 46 is secured to the shaft 12 and the spring motor drive.

is engaged by the pawl 41 mounted on the pivot 48, the flat spring 49 being provided in order to maintain, normally, the pawl in engagement with the ratchet. The ratchet will escape engagement with the pawl 41 when the spring is wound in a clock-wise direction. Once the potential energy in the spring is released and converted into kinetic energy, it will cause the ratchet to turn the gear 50 which is mounted to rotate freely on the shaft 12.

The gear 50 is in mesh with a pinion 51 mounted on a shaft 53 upon which are also mounted suitably the V pulleys 30 and the partitions SI and 52 act as added bearing support for the shafting which is mounted and is essential for Upon the shaft 53 is mounted an intermediate gear 58 which is in mesh with an idler pinion 59 mounted on the shaft I2 ultimately meshing with the pinion 60 secured to the shaft 13 uponwhich is mounted a fan type of governor generally designated 6| so as to more or less control and govern uniformly the reverse rotation of the spring motorized mechanism when its energy is being expended to operate the conveyer means.

When winding the spring to store potential energy therein, the brake mechanism comprised of the threaded bushing member 84 held in place by a. lock-nut and having also an internal thread into which the knurled head screw is secured, the end of the said screw being cupped in order to receive a compressible material so as to provide ideal frictional action when the said screw 55 or the end 58 th'ereofis brought to bear frictionally against the gear 58, thus holding in check against reverse motion the entire mechanism. When it is desired to allow the device to operate, this brake may be completely released or partially released if it be desirous to further aid the governor in stabilizing the uniform motion and operation of the conveyer system, with its attendant function of causing the buckets to pick up the confetti material and dump the same continually and uniformly causing a pleasing kaleidoscopic, amusing, and educational effect.

Figure 13 more elaborately elucidates the nature of my flexible wiping member 64 which aids in retaining the contents in the buckets 31 when in inverted relationship, and as shown is secured to the frame-work by an angle bracket 06 and rivet means 85. The other end of the wiping member 84 is suitably secured as at 81 to the platform 24. 4

In operation, my invention isflrst charged with a suitable amount of confetti. By removing the cap 11 from snapping engagement at the beaded portion l8 and allowing the said confetti to drop down on the inclined chute 22 which is riveted to the silo member It at 14, and maybe so secured as to permit the said chute 23 to have imparted thereto a slight vibration which would aid materially' in causing the contents to accumulate between the constricted portions of the wiping member 84,, the pulleys 33, and the inclined auxiliary chute 24. When the motor brake I! is released,'the conveyer belting 32 will move in a. continuous motion within its orbit or intended until carried upwardly. Gravity will retain the will be dumped producing a showering effect. The operation thus will continue to select and pick up material and dump the same and thus produce the very amusing and educational results heretofore more fully elucidated.

At times inspection of the inner portion of the device may become necessary to prevent clogging, and for this purpose I furnish the snap door 44 which fits into the opening 46' by virtue of oflset portions 45 so that the device may be readily opened at this point and inspected if it should become clogged by the material used.

The member 15 is a cover to enclose the sidecleats 25 and 28. It should also be noted that suitable openings 18, 11,18 and 19 are provided both in the silo structure and the base housing structure to permit the bucket means 3| to pass the said openings providing suflicient clearance therefor.

Altho I have described rather succinctly a preferred form of my invention, and inasmuch as it is susceptible of many alterations, modifications and improvements, I reserve the right to all such modifications, alterations and improvements lying within the scope and spirit of my inventionand within the purview of the foregoing descripsaid conveyer means, and'flexible wiping means v having one and secured within the said hopper means the other end thereof being secured to the housing adjacent the said motive power means.

2. A device of the character described comprising, transparent silo means, motive power means, hopper means inter-connecting the said silo means and the said motive power means, continuous conveyer means operating in an orbit defined by the said silo means motive power means and the said hopper means, bucket means secured to the said conveyer means, and wiping means secured in parallel relationship to the said conveyer means adapted to retain sealably material within the said bucket when in inverted position.

3. .A device of the character described comprising, transparent silo means, motive power means, hopper means inter-connecting the said silo means and the said motive power means, continuous conveyer means operating in an orbit defined by the said silo means motive power means and the said hopper means, bucket means secured to the said conveyer means, and flexible wiping means secured in parallel relationship to the said conveyer means adapted to retain sealably material within the said bucket when in inverted position.

4. A device of the character described comprising, transparent silo means, motive power means, hopper means inter-connecting the said silo means and the said motive power means, contin' uous conveyer means operating in an orbit defined by the said silo means motive power means and the said hopper means, bucket means secured to the said conveyer means, and elastic wiping means secured in parallel relationship to the said conveyer means adapted to retain sealably material within the said bucket when in inverted position.

FRANK E. THOMAS. 

